Monday, May 19, 2014

SDG - Soli Deo Gloria - Glory to God Alone

My Utmost For His Highest
 
Romans 8:31-15,37  “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? […] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
 
“Either Jesus Christ is a deceiver, having deceived even Paul, or else some extraordinary thing happens to someone who holds on to the love of God when the odds are totally against him. Logic is silenced in the face of each of these things which come against him. Only one thing can account for it— the love of God in Christ Jesus. “Out of the wreck I rise” every time.”  CHAMBERS
 
In Christ, there is a power to stand in the face of any hardship with hope and confidence.  It does not mean that you suddenly don’t have the trial anymore.  It means that you have the strength to persevere through the trial … to suffer the loss .. to endure the pain … In our weakness, Jesus strength, in us, is demonstrated.  What I am talking about is not like having a can of pepper spray with you.  Something you can ignore until the time that you are in trouble and you can pull it out and use it.  No it is more like have a black belt in martial arts.  You have the ability because of many, many hours of training.  Because you have disciplined yourself.  Prepared yourself. And when the time comes, you are ready. You stand!
 
If you have been a Christian for any time at all, you know that trouble will come, and it will come more than once in your life.  Your response to life, particularly the hardships, is the greatest witness you have.  The fruit of the Spirit is manifested in you in spite of what you experience, not because of it. It is that fruit that people see and marvel at.  In Christ, we have supernatural endurance … an endurance which brings glory to God.
 
Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the initials "S. D. G." (Soli Deo Gloria a Latin term meaning Glory to God alone)  at the end of all his religious compositions.  I pray that that can be your signature on every trial that you face.  Let God be glorified through our lives. For His glory and the good of others.
 
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)

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